02/07/06
Information for Immediate Release Contact: Lisa Ramsey 216-397-4288
Rhiannon Lathy

( University Heights , OH ) The Office of Student Activities and the Allies student organization at John Carroll University are proud to present Ms. Judy Shepard on Thursday, February 23 at 8pm in Kulas Auditorium as a part of the theme of the week, “Healing the Hurt. Hate Hurts: Faclitating Change/Fostering Healing”.

In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21 year-old son to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Their ordeal moved thousands of people around the world to attend vigils and rallies in Matthew's honor. Determined to prevent their son's fate from befalling others, Judy and Dennis established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to carry on Matthew's legacy by embracing the just causes he championed. This includes working for gay and lesbian equality, hate crime legislation, and raising awareness using programs developed by the Foundation. Judy is determined to use her grief over her son's death to make a difference.

On May 11, 1999, Judy testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. She appeared in two Human Rights Campaign public service television spots aimed at curbing anti-gay violence and promoting a greater understanding of gay issues. Judy is now speaking to audiences nationwide about what they can do to make their schools and communities safer for everyone, regardless of their race, sex, religion, or sexual orientation.

The “Healing the Hurt” week begins on Monday, February 20 with an Anti-Violence Awareness Day from 11:30am – 1:30pm in the Atrium. The question, “Why Should I Care About Hate Crimes” is the theme for this day designed to set the stage for the week.

On Tuesday, February 21 a discussion panel will occur at 7pm in the LSC Conference Room. The topic for the evening will be “Civil Rights or Special Rights?” will be discussed by representatives from the following organizations: ACLU, Alliance Defense Fund, Human Rights Campaign &ProFamily Network. A moderator will facilitate the panel discussion including questions from the audience.

The week continues on Wednesday, February 22 with the showing of the film The Laramie Project , a movie based on Matthew Shepard's life and tragic death. The movie will be shown in the LSC Conference Room at 7pm and will include an optional facilitated discussion following the film.

The week concludes with Proclamation Day! on Friday, February 24 from 11:30am – 1:30pm in the atrium. At this event, students, faculty, and staff have an opportunity to stand up for what they believe and make a pledge to help “heal the hurt” at John Carroll University .

The sponsors of this week include: the Student Union Programming Board, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Developmental Programming, the Program in Applied Ethics and the Student Union. All events during this week are free and open to the public. For more information please contact Lisa Ramsey at 216-397-4288 or lramsey@jcu.edu or Rhiannon Lathy at rlathy07@jcu.edu .

John Carroll University , located in Cleveland , Ohio , is a liberal arts university grounded in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition. The university has some 3,350 plus undergraduates and just over 750 graduate students. The U.S. News & World Report's 2005 annual college guide ranks John Carroll University among the top five master's-degree-granting universities in the Midwest and first in graduation/retention rank. Originally founded as St. Ignatius College in 1886, the university was renamed in 1923 to honor America 's first Catholic bishop, John Carroll of Maryland . John Carroll is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities located in the United States .

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The Office of Student Activities and the Allies Student Organization
present:

Hate Hurts:
Facilitating Change/Fostering Healing
“Why Should I Care About Hate Crimes?”:
Anti-Violence Awareness Day
Monday, February 20
11:30am—1:30pm
Atrium, D.J. Lombardo Student Center

“Civil Rights or Special Rights?”: Discussion Panel
Featuring panelists from the following organizations: ACLU, Alliance Defense Fund, Human Rights Campaign & ProFamily Network
Tuesday, February 21
7pm—8:30pm
LSC Conference Room, D.J. Lombardo Student Center

Film-The Laramie Project
(with optional discussion to follow)
Wednesday, February 22
7pm
LSC Conference Room, D.J. Lombardo Student Center

Speaker Judy Shepard

Advocate Against Anti-Gay Violence
Mother of Matthew Shepard
Thursday, February 23
8pm, Kulas Auditorium
Candlelight Vigil  immediately following

Proclamation Day!
Here’s your chance to stand up for what you believe!
Friday, February 24
11:30am—1:30pm
Atrium, D.J. Lombardo Student Center


Sponsored by the Student Union Programming Board, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of
Developmental Programming, the Program in Applied Ethics and the Student Union. Please call 216-397-4288 for more information.